We use cookies to help our site work, to understand how it is used, and to tailor the adverts presented on our site. By clicking "Accept" below, you agree to us doing so. You can read more in our cookie notice. Or, if you do not agree, you can click “Reject” below.

Related articles

No further details have been released at this time but tributes are pouring in for the star who was much loved by many around the globe.

In 2013, Burt was hospitalised in intensive care in 2013 with the flu. And back in 2010, the award-winning star underwent elective bypass surgery.

He checked into a Florida hospital for a planned heart bypass operation, Kritzer confirmed at the time.

"All reports that are implying he was rushed to a hospital are completely untrue, as he has had this operation scheduled for over a month," Kritzer said.

The surgery came just months after the Hollywood star confirmed he had spent 30 days in a rehab unit in West Palm Beach where he was treated for an addiction to painkillers.

At the time, Krizter commented: "Mr Reynolds felt he was going through hell and after a while, realised he was a prisoner of prescription pain pills.

"He checked himself into rehab in order to regain control of his life."

Burt Reynolds dead: The actor has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Image: GETTY)

Looking back through Burt’s memoirs, the star spoke quite openly about death and how he felt about dying.

He wrote: “I always wanted to experience everything and go down swinging.

“Well, so far, so good. I know I'm old, but I feel young. And there's one thing they can never take away: Nobody had more fun than I did”

Asked to come up with his own epitaph, Reynolds said: "He lived a hell of a life, and did his best - his very best - not to hurt anybody."

Tributes are pouring in online with comedian Ricky Gervais posting: "RIP Burt Reynolds. Seems his whole career was tongue in cheek. Always warm and funny."

Lord Of The Rings actor Elijah Wood wrote: "Sad to hear of the passing of legend, Burt Reynolds."

Burt Reynolds dead: The actor won nine awards in his incredible career (Image: GETTY)

Burt was known for starring in films including The Longest Yard, Smokey And The Bandit and 1997's Boogie Nights, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for best supporting actor.

He married actress Loni Anderson in 1988 before divorcing in 1993. The couple share a son.

The star reportedly turned down the roles of Han Solo in Star Wars and John McClane in Die Hard, later saying he was more interested in enjoying himself than pushing himself as an actor.

In his 2015 memoir, But Enough About Me, he said: "I didn't open myself to new writers or risky parts because I wasn't interested in challenging myself as an actor. I was interested in having a good time.

"As a result, I missed a lot of opportunities to show I could play serious roles. By the time I finally woke up and tried to get it right, nobody would give me a chance."

The tributes continue to appear online with US comedian and TV presenter Steve Harvey tweeted a framed photograph of himself with Reynolds.

Harvey wrote: "Very sad to hearing about the passing of Burt Reynolds. He was a great actor, a philanthropist and a pioneer of the cool mustache. Thank you, Burt. You will be missed."

American rapper Vanilla Ice paid tribute to the actor by posting a photo of himself with Reynolds on social media.

He wrote: "My good friend Bert Reynolds has passed away. Feeling super emotional right now. Long live The #Legend #Bandit #BurtReynolds you will be missed."

Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg, Reynolds' co-star from 1997 film Boogies Nights for which he earned a best supporting actor Oscar nomination, shared a picture of them together on the film's set.

Wahlberg wrote: "Rest in peace to a legend and a friend. #BurtReynolds."